Threat Summary

Description

VMola is a virus that belongs to ransomware class simply due to its line of attack. It encrypts various files on bugged machine and then demands a ransom in exchange for file decryption. It alters the name of all encrypted files by adding Encrypted_By_VMola.com extension.

VMola virus informs victims about file encryption, and gives a little instruction on how to regain access to those files. Normally, decryption program holds by malware author and use it to blackmail victims. Attacker advised them to pay 0.1 Bitcoin or roughly $230 and promised to give the decryptor in return.

We highly encourage you not to contact malware author. Take note that paying the ransom is not the key to restore your files. In fact, even if you pay the ransom, you have no assurance that maker of VMola will decrypt your files. Needless to say that putting your trust to these kinds of people is not worth it.

The main goal of VMola is to collect money from its victims. Therefore, dealing with them is just a waste of time and money. In case like this, the best way to retrieve your locked files is through your backup.

To prevent having issue like VMola virus, you should never open emails from unknown senders. Avoid clicking suspicious content while surfing online. Download and install files only from trusted sources. You have to be very cautious as types of ransom virus including VMola may get in onto your computer any on these flaws.

To stop VMola virus from bothering you, then you have to remove it as soon as you can.

1. First, we will try to remove How to Remove VMola Ransomware Virus by running a virus scan under Safe Mode with Networking. To perform this task, please complete these procedures.

Start in Safe Mode with Networking (Windows XP/Vista/7 Instruction)

- Please restart the computer and just before Windows start, press F8 on your keyboard repeatedly. You will be presented with Advanced Options Menu.
- From the selections, choose Safe Mode with Networking. Please use keyboard's arrow up/down to navigate between selections and press Enter to proceed.

- Then, click on Troubleshoot.
- Next, please select Advanced options.
- On the next window, please choose Windows Startup Settings.
- Lastly, click on Restart button. Windows 8 will now restart and boot into Advanced Boot Option wherein you can run the system in Safe Mode with Networking.

2. Open your installed anti-virus programs and update it to the most recent version by automatically downloading necessary updates.

3. Thoroughly scan the computer and remove all identified threats. Do not restart or turn off the computer after the scan process. You still need to run another scan. Please follow the next procedure.

5. Click on Start Scan to thoroughly scan the computer. Remove all threats detected by this anti-malware program after the process.

Procedure 3: Run Microsoft Safety Scanner to remove VMola components.

MS Safety Scanner is a free security tool that offers on-demand virus scanning and helps remove threats from the infected computer. It is a stand-alone program that works even with existing antivirus program.

Important:Each download of Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after the acquisition date. If this period lapses, you need to download the same program from the same location again. New download contains newer virus definition and database to detect and clean most recent viruses.

3. Once the download completes, browse the folder and double-click on the file msert.exe. Icon for this file looks like this.

4. If Windows prompts for a security warning and ask if you want to run the file, click on Run. For Windows Vista/7 users, you may right-click on the file and select Run as administrator from the selection.

5. On initial run, the tool will display End User License Agreement, please accept the terms and click Next. Continue on the process until you reach the Scan Type window.

6. Select on Full scan to entire the system and detect any presence of VMola. Then, click Next button to begin the scan process. Scanning may take a while, please be patient.

7. Once Microsoft Safety Scanner finished on scanning the computer, it will display the result. If it finds presence of VMola and other malware, the tool removes them automatically.

8. Click on Finish button to close the tool.

Recover VMola Encrypted Files

VMola Decryption Tool

At this time, there is no definite way to decrypt files encrypted by VMola. We are waiting for decryption tool from various computer security developers. You will see update on this area as soon as VMola decryptor was made available.

Use ShadowExplorer to Recover Files

Recovering VMola encrypted files using this tool may only be possible if the virus did not erased the Shadow Copies of files on your computer. Volume Shadow Service is a Windows feature and is a component
of Windows Backup and System Restore. Backup data are kept automatically in the system after enabling System Restore. Therefore, you may never use this feature when System Restore not active on the computer.

1. Download the most recent version of ShadowExplorer from their official website. Click the button below.

2. Install this program on your computer. It should initialize after the installation process. You may also double-click the created icon to run ShadowExplorer.

3. On main interface, click on the Drive Path at upper left corner to list all Volume Shadow Copies kept on your computer.

4. Select preferred time and date you wish to restore. It is suggested to select the most recent copy before the VMola infection.

5. Right-click on the folder you wish to restore. Then, click on Export.

6. ShadowExplorer will prompt for the new location of files to recover. Please specify the path where you want to save copies of your files.